Pete Rose has purchased a Sherman Oaks home for about $1 million.
     The former baseball great has been seeking reinstatement to baseball after being banned 10 years ago for gambling.
     Rose, who had been renting a house for three years from game-show host Alex Trebek, bought a newly built, Mediterranean-style home with six bedrooms and an office in about 5,500 square feet, behind gates.
     "We're getting ready to put in a patio, deck and pool," Rose said.
     The house that he and his family had been renting is nearby. "We've always lived on this side of the hill, because my little girl needs to be near the studios," he said.
     His 10-year-old daughter, Chea Courtney, is an actress who has had recurring roles on the new NBC soap opera "Passions" as well as on the series "Ellen" and "Melrose Place."
     Rose, 58, and his wife, Carol, also have a son, Tyler, 15. "He's a freshman and is on the basketball team," Rose said. Asked if his son plays baseball, Rose said, "Sure he does. He's a great baseball player."
     Rose's 4,256 career hits are the highest total in major league history. He broke the record of 4,191 hits set by Ty Cobb, whose career ended in 1928. Rose ended his playing career after the 1986 season.
     He played mostly for the Cincinnati Reds, which he was managing when accused of betting on baseball. Rose denied betting on games but until recently did not challenge the 1989 ruling.
     After a wave of public support for him this fall during the All-Century Team day in Atlanta and at the introduction of legendary players before the second game of the World Series, Rose opened a Web site (http://www.sportcut.com) featuring a fan petition calling for his election to baseball's Hall of Fame.
     Rose also sent a letter in November to Commissioner Bug Selig seeking reinstatement to baseball. The sides are expected to meet in January to discuss Rose's status.
     "Only time will tell," Rose said, "but we want to be optimistic."
     Gloria Hicks of Re/Max Centre, Encino, and Maurice Kozack of Fred Sands Estates, Encino, represented Rose in his purchase.